Tensioning device for cables, wires, etc.



May 19, 1953 D. A. HOWARD ETAL TENSIONING DEVICE FOR CABLES, WIRES, ETC

Filed Feb. 26, 1951 I INVENTORS. N. MA TSON WM. 0034,410 ,4. Hon/420 ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1953 TENSI ONING DEVICE FOR CABLES, 'WIRES, ETC. v

Donald A. Howard, Worcester, and William I v I i Matson, Fitchburg, Mass.

Application February 26, 1951, Serial No. 212,743

This invention relates to tensioning device for cables, wires, ropes, etc., the principal object of the invention residing in the provision of a relatively simple and inexpensive device for application to a cable or the like for .tensioningv the same to any degree desired, and

at the same time imparting a resilience thereto preventing breakage due to sharp blowsthat normally occur to a loose cable when it snaps taut under conditions of relatively high wind, etc.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a cable tensioning device as stated above, to which any desired degree of tensionis quickly and easily imparted merely by application-of the device to the cable and then twisting or rotating a spring arm thereon which gradually twists the cable on a spool-like member increasing the tension and increasing the resilient effect imparted by the device thereto.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a plate having spool-like means for receiving a cable or the like in straight relation thereacross, and a spring means secured to the spool-like device and capable of manual rotation for increased tensioning, the spool-like device rotating therewith, said spring having a hook ,thereon for engagement with the cable vat increments of 180, during the rotation thereof.

, Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter. v Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device shown applied to a cable;

Fig. 2 is a plan viewat the opposite side thereof;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating initial application of the cable to the device;

Fig. 4 shows the first step in tensioning of, the

cable; w 1 I Fig. 5 shows the spool-element partially rotated;

Fig. 6 illustrates a rotation of the spool-like element to approximately 180 from the Fig. 4 position and showing the cable considerably tensioned;

Fig. 7 is a section through the plate and spring illustrating the parts in assembled relation; Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of thespool-like member;

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. l0 is a plan view of a modification; and v Fig. .11 is an edge view thereof. 'In erecting masts, stacks, flag poles, etc., the

dure, finding wide spread use in many relations,

a new and improved.

6 Claims; (01. zit-7 1,2)

but it has always been a problem to impartthe correct tension to the guy wires, particularly with relation to those at opposite sides of the mast erected. If a guy wire is slightly loose or a little ;too tight, it will snap under condition of high winds, particularly gusty winds, if either too much. tension is. applied to the guy wire. in .the

ease where it is too tight, or a sharp blow is imparted thereto in excess of the strength thereof,

ber l6. The spool-like member 16 is preferably made of wire and extends away fromthe loop I4 in two runs, see particularly Figs. 7 and 8, these runs being bent to form a pair of loop-like feet 18 and Z0. In general, the spool-like member I6 is thus rotationally fixed relative to plate it] although this is not a necessary feature of the invention, but is the preferred form.

The two runs of the loop l4 may be provided with projections 22, and these runs may be ,springy if desired so that when the loop I4 is projected through the slot I 2, it will impinge on and be held thereto as seen in Fig. '7 with the feet l8 and 20 spaced from plate l0. V

The loop 14 extends slightly to. the opposite side of plate It and providesa holding means forthe double hooked free end of a spiral spring member 26, the other end of which terminates in a long straightrun 28 having a hookjll at the free end thereof. I 7 It will be seen thatthe straight run 28 of the spring may be moved counterclockwise in Fig. 2 and that if the platel-O or the loop I 4 is held. against moving it, the spring 26 will wind up and become tensioned, and will tend resiliently to rotate reversely in a clockwise direction.

With the spool-like member as shown in Fig. 3, the device is applied to a cable 3| with the latter running straight through theloops as at 32 in Fig. '7, the cable being held at both ends, .as to a mast or the like and to a support, clamp or clevis. {Then by grasping the long run 28 of the spring as a handle, and rotating in the proper direction, as illustrated in Fig. 4,.the cable 3| is held betweenthe'two runs, of the spool-like member on which appear projections 22. Further rotation results in a kink in the cable 3| as appears in Figs.

and 6, and it will be seen that the cable has been considerably shortened, i. e., tension in the Fig. 6 position.

If the hook 30 is slipped over a part of the now tensioned cable, the entire device is held in the position described with tension on the cable or wire in the direction of the arrows A in Fig. 6. It will be clearthat excess or sudden increased pressure being applied in the directiorr of these arrows, the tendency is for the spool-like member to be rotated in a counterclockwise direc tion in Fig. 6 although this would; be in. 2.2016011 Wise direction in Fig. 2. The resilience in the spring 26 resists this movement although it allows it to take place to a limited degree; de-- pending on the degree of tension originally applied to the spring.

This action will clearly provide against any breakage of the cable because of the-fact that a give" is present if necessary, but under ordinary conditions, the cable is maintained. tight. by the spring;

It is tobe noted that. the device may be notated further, i. a, another 1810" in a clockwise direction in Fig, 1=, increasing the tension and lapping the wire around the' spool-like; member on theruns formingtheloop. It. It will be seen that any desired tightness can beapplied tothe cable aften the slacle is mostly removed. by the operation of the device as above stated. The

nrain purpose of plate 10'- is to" prevent canting ot the parts and interference of'the cable and spring,

A modified form of. the invention is shownin Figs. 10- and l I" wherein the-plate and the-spoollikemember are combined in a single element. This-comprises a plate '34 havinga plurality of segmental punchedout portions 36 forming a kind of rim connected bydie/metrical arms 38.

The segmental portions are pressed] downwardly as shown in Fig. 11 forming a plurality of radial- 15; extending shelves: or projections W0. Thecentenc'fi' the device at the junction of arms 38* is raised up as at 42 to form ahook or the like for the reception ofthe'free end 24 ofthespri'ng in the same manner that thiseiement is hooked intoloop M.

The arms on shelves 40 receive the wire as a spoolisubstantially-as above recited; and asillbstrated in Figs: 3"-to 6, since thewire mayini- 'tially belaid in' diametrically" of" the" plate beneath two aligned arms 38, and between parts 40 as illustrated at 44, and then upon rotating the spring as described above, the device may beusedinthesameway;

'It will be seenthat this invention provides'a relatively simple device for applying tension in steps of any adjustment desired to cables; ropes, wires; etc; The device always maintains the cables; etcr, under yielding tension so thata sudden snap-or sharp blow-cannot part the calile', aswill 'bethe case if no; give were present; yet. at the-same time; the cable is. maintainew'taut with no-slachandunder varying degrees. of an: just-mentoftension".

"Cables under stress always. have a degreeof inherent stretching-which may be: caused umusua'l-ly "hot; weather when the normal'expansion on long cables is noticeable, but'the'novel" tension-ing; device will.-'wind"'up: slack to. keep the cable taut; and also thBPtBIISiOHGILIJBYS outcable when the--samezi$-extremely coldfiandicontracted. andf-su tiie tensionerfwil'lf keep a very-good ever- 4 age tightness for all weather conditions on cables. No tools of any kind are needed to install the new tensioner and it eliminates the use of turnbuckles and ratchet arrangements besides adding the resilient take up and give features. Using bent wire for a spool allows the cable to be wound on a small diameter thus giving a small movement. on the: spool as compared with the mechanical advantage provided. by the long hook arm on the spring. With very little Work used in rotating the hook, considerable tension may be applied. to the cable. This permits a of weight and size for all parts of the device and allows the operator to get any detightness on the cable with very little effort.

Having thus described our invention and the advantagesthereot, we do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than asset fiorth in the claims, but What we claim is:

1. A cable tensioning device comprising a plate. alooptthereon, a pair of axially extending elements; on the plate, a"; spring, secured. to: the 115012;. said. elements. receiving a. cable therebesnbstantially diametricallyof the plate, spring extending substantially radially of the plate and: capable of; rotating the plate. and winding the. cable on. the: elements. by rotation thereof; means: to. secure the extending portion otthe springto the cable...

2. The device: at claim. I. wherein. the loop and axially extending. elements form parts of a. bent wire. the loop: extending through: the plate. to

one thereof and theselements: appearing at theopposite side of theiplzzte'...

3a.. The: device of claim 1;. whereinthe: loop. and axially extending" elements. form; parts. of. a. bent wire. the looprextend-ing: throu'ghcthe: plate to one thereofi and; the: elements appearing? at the opposite side of the platmand. means on the loop thev bent. wire v in.- desired. position". relatitans-the 1313136..

4-... The. device; of. claim: 1. wherein the loop and extendin elementstorm pants or a bent wire. the. loop. extending. through the plate to one: side thereof. and the elements appearing at opposite-- s ide of the plate; and means on the loop: locating the bent wire in desired position relative m the' plate, and feet on. the elements extending generally radially of the plate in spaced relation thereto.

'The device ofolaim I wherein the loop is struck up from the plate and: the elements form pantsa thereof benteutwardly-to the opposite side surface of the plate.

62. The devibeofl claim 1 wherein the loop is struck.- zupi from: thepl'atethe e'lements form parts thereofbent outwardly -lac-the opposite side surface-nitric plate, andpressed' out feet on the elements extending generally radially of the-plate in spaced rel'ation thereto:

DONALD A. HOWARD"; WILLJAM 'MATSGN.

References-(Suede in the .file .-of: this. patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

